Show 10 U S MAY NOT r T n CANCEL lEASES I Admiral Latimer Says Best Interest of Public Paramount WASHINGTON OTON Jan Jon 81 Secre S1-Secre- Secre- Secre Secretary tary Denby transfer ot of the tho California and Wyoming naval oil reserves to the th Interior depart depart- department department department ment Rear Admiral latimer judge general of ot the th navy naV today the house naval nasal committee The admiral said Mr Denby Denb h d told horn he h had bad Initiated tho transfer after actor investigating the question and nd consulting 1 aIds ous arl arlou ou experts ts t After becoming n a member of ot the th cabinet the th witness explained Mr Denby became con con- con of ot the th necessity of ot taking prompt action to prevent further depletion of ot oil In la the navys navy's re- re rc ca but had no organiZAtion In his dep which could function function function tion to that end Admiral Latimer said sil l that e esen een en enIt It If It were ere proven that tho the Doheny toh and Sinclair leases ere acre tainted aith fraud rauel and corruption It might be bo poor policy for tor the tho gov- gov government rov to cancel them It It If tho government nt would lose mone ho added the th go ern rov em eminent would could he lr cutting oft off Its nose to II its taco face to throw up the th contracts If It however howe tho contracts are not to tIe the th best In- In Interests Interests In Interests of ot the th public they should bo be revoked Questioned by Democrats Democrat on th the committee amendment said he did not pass on the legality ot of the transfer of ot naval nasal oil to tho interior Intel lor department or ot of the contracts with Doheny and Sin Sin- Sinclair Sinclair Sin Sinclair clair at the tn time tim they effect effect- effected effected edlie ed Ho lie steadfastly declined decUna to be drawn n out as to whether he h be- be be believed Ile cd the leases lenses as a whole were legal oo 00 |